Aravinda to reinforce Sir Lanka's batting

Middle order batsman Aravinda de Silva, facing match-fixing allegations, will be going to South Africa on Tuesday to reinforce Sri Lanka's batting, which is reeling under the pace of the Proteas.

Sri Lankan cricket selection committee chairman T.B. Kehelgamuwa told the press that de Silva, 35, would replace injured all-rounder Upul Chandana.

The Sri Lankans, led by Sanath Jayasuriya, currently touring South Africa, are struggling to cope with the pace and bounce of the South African pitches. They are trailing 2-0 in the six-match one-day series. They lost one Test and drew another in the three-Test series.

Kehelgamuwa said de Silva was initially reluctant to go, claiming lack of practice, but later agreed to the request.

De Silva, along with former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, has figured in the list of players being investigated by India's Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with match-fixing allegations. Both cricketers have denied the allegations.

De Silva has scored more than 13,000 runs in Tests and one-day internationals. He was however sidelined after the selectors opted to send a young side to tour South Africa.

His recall became a certainty after the team crashed to an innings defeat in the second Test at Newlands.

Mail Cricket Editor